The esports scene is constantly evolving, and with it, VALORANT’s weapon meta. While the Vandal and Phantom have long been considered the top choices for buy rounds, another weapon is starting to gain recognition. The Guardian, although not perfect, offers advantages that are worth considering.
In a recent Reddit post, a player highlighted the benefits of using a Guardian in a VALORANT loadout. They emphasized its high damage output and its potential to counter the prevailing light shields meta. Light shields have become popular due to their similar protection against the Vandal and Phantom, as demonstrated by teams like Fnatic.
However, at the professional level, the choice between light and heavy shields becomes less significant since most players can consistently land lethal headshots. While the Phantom does counter the light shields meta with its 140 headshot damage, professional players often prefer saving the extra 600 credits over considering this single scenario.
But the Guardian changes the game. With its ability to one-shot enemies with a headshot dealing 195 damage, and requiring only two body shots (130 damage) to kill an enemy with light armor, it becomes an ideal weapon for holding long lanes and maps like Breeze and Haven.
While the Guardian is effective against the light shields meta, some players argue that choosing it over the iconic Vandal or Phantom may be more disadvantageous than it initially seems. One comment on the Reddit post mentioned that it is too expensive for a budget buy and not as good as the Phantom and Vandal for a full buy, which is a valid point.
The semi-automatic firing mode of the Guardian is its biggest drawback. It simply doesn’t compare to having an automatic weapon. Priced at 2,250 credits, it can be part of a good light buy loadout, but it is too expensive for an eco round. These factors often lead players to opt for the Vandal or Phantom in most cases.
Personally, on days when I find myself missing shots with the Vandal or Phantom, I switch to the Guardian to force myself to focus on aim. While it works well for me, most players wouldn’t want to sacrifice their kill count for aim practice.
Getting the most out of the Guardian in VALORANT requires practice, patience, and excellent aim. Only those who are willing to commit to buying it over the regular weapon choices can truly harness its potential. However, it is not a gun that is friendly for lower Elo players.
| Time | Score |
|---|---|
| Nov. 2 | Guardian highlighted as a strong weapon choice |
| Nov. 2 | Discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of the Guardian |
Source: DOTESPORTS
